geoff west

I think that has to be my favourite view Gilbert.

On 11/06/2024 at 19:29, johndon said:

South Pelaw is Railway of the Month in this month's (July 2024) issue of Railway Modeller due in shops on Thursday.

https://reader.exacteditions.com/issues/116691/spread/1

Look forward to picking up a copy as it's a fantastic layout.

Thanks Tony, A most enjoyable day. 
We almost had the perfect running session, one day we’ll crack it. 
Im so pleased with the 4F and the carriages, thank you, they look great in the pictures. 
Thank Mo again for the excellent lunch. 

Thanks Tony, for another most enjoyable day.

2 hours ago, KNP said:

Pannier off to the paint shop as nearly all the fittings added plus the crew has been dispatched!

Just missing the sand box control rods,  had to order some more as the ones I had where wrong…

 

 

Can i ask where you get the sandbox control rods from Kevin?

A question for the wagon aficionados if i may,

Can anyone tell me where I can get new under frame parts, preferably in brass for this wagon please? 
It took a dive to the floor and has broken the W irons. Thanks in advance. 

2 hours ago, great northern said:

My guest today was Geoff West, but he didn't get to see many trains run, as we got side tracked into venting our feelings about modern technology, and I kept being distracted by the car sale saga. What trains I did try to run, perhaps predictably, did not behave.

 

Here's the K3 grinding to a halt at the signal.

and another angle on the Claud, just as graceful from the rear.

Thanks Gilbert, for a most enjoyable day.

We did vent quite a bit, but justifiably so.

Hope the car sale goes well tomorrow.

I used to see 47 854 regularly at Didcot in the early 90's.

I have quite a few photos of her somewhere. 

Think you've absolutely nailed the look of those vans James, i remember seeing them at Didcot in that condition.

7 minutes ago, landscapes said:

Hi Tony

 

Thank you for your kind comments on the locomotives Geoff purchased from me.

 

I do hope he is happy with them and so nice to see them running on a layout where they can stretch their legs.

 

I’m sure Geoff will read this as well, thank you Geoff for taking them to Tony’s Little Bytham.

 

Regards

 

David

Hi David,

I’m very happy with the locos, thank you. 
it was good to see them running on LB yesterday, we had a great day. 
 

Regards, 

Geoff. 

3 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Good morning Rob,

 

I think Geoff West was referring to layouts like Bourne, where a substantial start had been made, but clearly there was still much to do. 

 

I think the term "A model railway is never finished" has a ring of truth about it, but, to me, it's a question of degree. For instance, what is there left to do on Little Bytham? Some more signal pulley posts perhaps (I've found a useful picture, but it doesn't show every one)? To all intents and purposes, it is 'finished'; work is now of the 'maintenance' kind. 

 

Nothing stops me from building more locos for it (there are now at least four for every train!). 

 

Your last point (d) certainly rings true, whether it's a prototype-based layout or not (I speak from personal experience here). I also think layouts have a 'natural lifespan'. Unlike most locos and rolling stock (which can last lifetimes), layouts are made of 'transitory' materials, particularly with regard to scenery. Cardboard, especially, though marvellous as an architectural medium can warp and delaminate over time (plastic can become brittle, too). Colours fade as well, especially scenic scatters and the like. Chips and splits are very common on exhibition layouts, and many is the time I've encountered a less-than-erect signal. 

 

In fact, I'd go as far as to state that some layouts have been kept running (or tried to be) beyond that 'natural life', the last sightings of them being shadows of what they once were (this is especially true if a layout has outlived its creator). The new 'owners' are faced with a dilemma where repair/replacement work is required, especially with the operational mechanics. Do they replace, say, fibre-based track with the same, or bits of cotton used for operating signals and so on, when there are far-superior modern alternatives? Faded, ancient and tired scenery is almost impossible to patch-repair as well, and tatty backscenes look exactly what they are!

 

Regards,

 

Tony

Thanks Tony,

I should have made myself clear in my post that I meant prototype layouts like Bourne. 
regards,

Geoff. 

Good evening Tony,

I wonder how many other layouts are started but never finished for whatever reason. There must have been quite a few down the years i would imagine.

Regards,

Geoff.

1 minute ago, Tony Wright said:

The remainder of the Bourne images..........

 

 

 

 

Did 8Fs ever reach Bourne? 

 

 

 

 

Such a shame!

This had the makings of an exceptional layout. What a pity it was scrapped.

That's most unlike you Gilbert, but when technology lets you down it's most infuriating.

9 hours ago, AdeMoore said:

Yes still following shame but good luck on finding a new home.

where are you based?

It wasn’t an easy decision as I really found the history of the line fascinating. 
I’m based in Oxfordshire. 

Hi all,

Not sure if anyone is still following this thread as it's been a while since I've posted anything.

I've decided to sell Cwm Prysor as sadly I've lost interest in the project.

Anybody interested in taking it on please PM me.

Geoff.

I quite like the first shot Gilbert. 

6 hours ago, robertcwp said:

A pair of quad-arts from Ellis Clark Trains will lighten the wallet a bit more!

I have already ordered a set Robert.

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

Back to Hornby's 60007...........

 

 

Had I set Little Bytham's period as 1957, it would be fine.

 

Ascending Gamston Bank shortly after passing Retford on an Up express in the summer of 1957. I'd have to fit AWS, of course. 

 

 

So Biggleswade 1956 would be fine then. 
Tomorrow’s visit to honest Tone’s could see me leaving with a much lighter wallet again. 

5 hours ago, polybear said:

I've received an email from Ellis Clark Trains to say they're planning to release a range of 00 Quad Arts later this year:

 

https://clarkrailworks.com/collections/quad-arts

 

The pictures suggest that the detail is amazing.

 

(No connections etc. etc.)

Can anyone tell me which set i would  need for Biggleswade 1956 ? I believe there was a Hitchin to Sandy train which consisted of quad arts.

8 hours ago, great northern said:

Does this half building ever irritate you ?  I could get Peter to do the other half, but then I have to fit in two more tracks to run into it. I can do that, but then have to connect them to the rest of the layout.

That would I think have to be done by turning this point into a three way.

However, that would in reality be a nonsense, as the only destinations are other dead end sidings. They would not be used anyway, so operationally that doesn't matter, but is it quite a lot of work and disruption out of proportion to what is visually achieved? After all, there is another lower relief building not far to the left, and I can't do anything about that one.

 

 

Probably best to leave it alone Gilbert, as we discussed on Monday, it would be a lot of work  for not much gain.

10 hours ago, great northern said:

One more look at Cock O the North from the ground.

And another look from the bridge, a view I cannot resist at the moment.

 

I can see why you like the view from the bridge Gilbert. The buildings on station road do complete the scene. I was very impressed with them.

Thanks for a great day yesterday, and all the info.

4 hours ago, sandra said:

Hello Geoff,

 

I’ve just picked up a pannier tank off eBay as well. Here she is, a kit built 850 pannier tank which had been built in EM gauge. 
 

Now I know Retford does not need a pannier tank but I like them and I think it’s a rather pretty little locomotive. When I bought it it didn’t run at all but after fitting new pickups it runs very well. It has a Portescap motor and has been built from a M & L kit and she cost less than £100. The paintwork does however need slight attention which I must rectify.

 

I realise that such a purchase is totally extravagant and possibly the result of a late night perusal of eBay after having a glass too much of sherry but I don’t regret buying her. She’s not going to be a permanent fixture on Retford as I’ve just bought an etched kit of unknown providence for a J52 off eBay and that will shunt the yard.  Incidentally does anyone know who made an etched kit for a J52 as I don’t ever recall seeing such a kit before or even being aware that such a kit existed.

 

Sandra

 

 

Hello Sandra,

Here’s my J52 I’m working on. An old BEC kit with a Mainly trains (I think) chassis. Need to change the buffers as they are on the large side. 

38 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Following on from the O4/8 comments.

 

Having mentioned in an earlier post, a K's O4, I've got another one for £20.00 (which I'm buying!). All I'll do to make an O4/8 from it is scratch-build a smokebox/boiler/firebox, smokebox saddle and complete cab (as I did over 40 years ago), sticking it on the K's frames and footplate. I should be able to obtain a correct chimney and dome, shouldn't I?

Think i might be able to help you there.

5 hours ago, gr.king said:

Not unless you are incredibly thorough with searches, vigilant at all times, and exceedingly lucky. I've been waiting a  couple of years to see if "saved searches" turn up a bargain RTR loco of one of two types. The only ones that came anywhere near to my idea of cheap slipped under the radar at the time of sale and were only discovered by me later in lists of previously sold items. The need for one of those loco types has now disappeared thanks to a product from a different manufacturer, and the other loco I can live without for as long as it takes - for ever if the prices never fall far enough.

 

Never appear desperate to buy an item - it's very hard to get a fair price that way...

I've just picked up a Bachmann 64xx for my Cwm Prysor layout for £48 on ebay.

It looks brand new, even has the price tag on the box,reduced from £99.99 to £89.99 and the receipt to prove it.

Now that's a bargain, if pannier tanks are your thing of course.